Lee Ryder speaks to the new signings
plus more on the way...
STEVE Bruce is not finished in the summer transfer window after the treble acquisition of Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Jamal Lewis – but there will need to be some departures at St James’ Park in the next three weeks.
Bruce is still keen on a centre-back – despite uncertainty surrounding the loan move for Arsenal’s
Rob Holding – but Newcastle are looking for possible suitors for Fabian Schar, whose contract runs out at the end of the season. Holding’s loan was delayed as Newcastle tried to clear the decks a little at Benton but it now looks like Mikel Arteta may need the Stalybridge-born defender.
One player set to move is Florian Lejeune, who is expected to join La Liga side Alaves on loan, while Henri Saivet, Rolando Aarons and Achraf Lazaar have all been told they can leave. United will need to trim their squad down to 25 for the season ahead which means there could be a big decision on Dan Barlaser.
Barlaser has done well in preseason but needs regular gametime, something Bruce can’t guarantee with Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden, Jeff Hendrick, Sean Longstaff and Matty Longstaff ahead of the former Rotherham loanee at the moment.
The Millers would love to sign Barlaser again for the new season and have made their views clear.
Bruce is also believed to have made fresh enquiries on centrebacks and another striker in recent days despite the arrival of Wilson from AFC Bournemouth.
With loan deals in the Premier League and in Europe, Bruce could be far from finished in the window and it is understood that head of recruitment Steve Nickson was assigned the club’s first venture back to the Continent since lockdown last week.